Casino wagering game

ABSTRACT

A method for playing a game of chance including a playing surface with the various wagering options defined thereon. The card game is played with two standard decks of playing cards, wherein all cards 7-King are removed leaving 48 numerically valued cards comprised of two suits each of the cards Ace-6. Each player is asked to select an initial winning option, “7”, “High” or “Low”, based upon how he feels the hand will be dealt, or the dice rolled. In the preferred, playing card embodiment, the players then place their wagers in the corresponding circle on the playing surface and the dealer deals one card, face down, to each player A second card is then dealt, face up, one player at a time. If the player has predicted the result incorrectly he folds his cards and the dealer moves to the next player dealing the second card to the next player and so on. If a player wins he turns up his hole card and waits until the dealer goes all the way around the table, whereupon all players who correctly predicted the outcome are awarded. The present invention also concerns a table layout for playing the above-mentioned wagering game.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates generally to card or dice wagering gamesand more particularly to card games played on casino tables.

[0002] The present invention also concerns a table layout for playingsaid card game.

[0003] 1. Prior Art

[0004] A number of games utilize the high-low wagering concept. Usuallyin those games the players play against the house and the object is toget either a higher or lower ranked hand than the rank of the cards inthe dealers hand. In most high-low games the options are narrow, manyutilize specially altered decks of cards and awards are generallypredetermined.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,755, relates to a casino card game in whichthe player plays against a dealer. Only three cards are dealt and allare face up. Players can make three wagers: Whether the third card dealtis black or red, whether the third card is a high or low ranking card,or whether the third card dealt will match either the card in the firstor second position. No wagers are made by the players against thedealers hand in this game and Jokers are wild.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,997 relates to a card game in which a playerplaces a first wager and the dealer deals him two cards face up. If thecards are of equal rank the player wins an amount based uponpredetermined odds posted on the playing surface, but loses if the cardsare of consecutive rank. If the two cards are not the same or ofconsecutive rank the player can make an additional wager as to whetherthe third card dealt will be of a rank between the two cards. If thefirst two cards dealt are of equal rank and that rank is a face card oran ace the player automatically wins according to the predetermined oddsand is dealt a third card which, if of equal rank to the first two cardsincreases the players winnings. The players cards are not compared todealer cards and no wild cards are used.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,514 relates to an Asian game utilizing thehigh-low principal. This game involves 15 conventional decks and issimilar to the instant invention in that it removes all cards 7-King.The primary difference, however is that the object of the Asian game isto make a hand totaling 12, or close to 12, if a high scheme isselected, or totaling 2 or close to 2 if a low scheme is selected.Separate high-low wagers are not made and no second level or wild cardwagering is allowed.

[0008] Other examples of prior art using a high low principal or formatreviewed by this writer include several which had similarities, butdiverged at key points. KAUFMAN, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,403. In that gamethere is a gaming table at least one player, a full deck of 52 cardsplus jokers and the players play directly against the dealer. The playerplaces his bet in either the high or low gaming area and the dealer thendeals one card to each player and one to himself. The player's card isthen measured against the dealer's card. If the player had a higher cardthan the dealer and had wagered in the high box, he wins. If he hadwagered in the low box he loses. The converse is true if the player'scard is lower ranked than the dealer's card.

[0009] This game is distinguishable from the instant invention in thatevery round of 2 cards dealt to each player represents an entire game.Further the KAUFMAN game is played against the house, the house must bebeaten, either high or low depending on the wagering option the playerhas chosen. In the instant invention, the dealer is merely a facilitatorand does not himself have cards upon which to wager. In the instantinvention the dealer deals the cards to each of the players, but takesnone for himself, though in effect the house owns the two options notchosen by the player. The player then wins or loses depending solelyupon the total value of the two cards dealt him and whether or not hehas predicted the correct total score and placed his wager in theappropriate wagering area, i.e. “LOW” (2-6), “7), or “HIGH” (8-12).

[0010] The EATON U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,712 represents prior art, which issomewhat similar to the instant invention, but is ultimatelydistinguishable. The EATON game also involves an initial draw of twocards, however, it is from a regulation deck of 52 cards and against apredetermined number, for instance 17 in blackjack. This game allows,indeed requires the player to take additional hits until thepredetermined number is attained or the player busts. Additionallysecond and third bets may be made as the game progresses. The instantinvention mandates only two cards be dealt each player and the total ofthe two determines whether or not the player predicted the correctoption and he wins or loses accordingly.

[0011] Additional patents were searched for relevant prior art,including but not limited to: U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,429, 5,144,579,5,257,810, 5,615,888, 5,707,287, and 5,904,353. These ranged from sidebets to jackpots to Spanish 21, with none being close enough to warrantfurther comment.

[0012] Arguably the most popular casino, table game in the United Statesand possibly the world, is Blackjack, sometimes called “21”. In thatgame, the player plays against the dealer, or the house. The object ofBlackjack is for the player to get a hand, which is greater than thedealer's without “busting”, or exceeding the point total 21. Despite itspopularity however, there are a number of problems associated withBlackjack.

[0013] Beyond the fact that Blackjack or 21 requires at least a modicumof skill for a player to have any chance of being consistentlysuccessful, Blackjack is often quite slow paced as players ponder takinga “hit” (an additional card) from the dealer, or to “stand pat” withtheir hand. A player who is not conversant with the rules will rapidlylose his money and his interest in the game

[0014] Not only is it necessary for the player to know the basic rulesand objectives of Blackjack, the odds are significantly improved if theplayer is knowledgeable of the general guidelines about taking a “hit”.This is an acquired skill and is particularly critical for the playerlast dealt cards (the player on the dealers immediate right.) It isbelieved that this player can alter the course of the whole game bytaking an unnecessary hit and changing the composition of the dealer'shand. Finally there is the fact that in Blackjack the players playagainst the house as individuals thereby causing a loss of camaraderie,which can hold players at the table longer. All of these problems havethe potential to adversely affect the bottom line earnings by the house.

[0015] While the game Blackjack, or 21 is referenced here asillustrative, it must be kept in mind that this invention is notBlackjack or a minor deviation thereof. The present invention is atotally new game and is no more Blackjack than Blackjack is Poker.

SUMMARY

[0016] The present invention, which may be played as either a card ordice game, is based on high-low wagering using a modified deck of cardsor a standard pair of six sided dice. The present invention, a wageringgame, addresses the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0017] In response to the problems addressed in the afore mentionedsection describing the prior art, an important object of the presentinvention is to provide a wagering game to players from novice toprofessional that is interesting, captivating, fast paced and most ofall simple. It is also an important object of the present invention toprovide a game that does not require a great deal of skill and can begrasped and understood quickly and completely. Another useful objectiveof this game is that it can introduce a novice player to wagering with asimple, uncomplicated game and lay the foundation to understanding themore complex games. Furthermore, an important objective of the presentinvention is to give the player the perception that he is controllingthe flow of the game and the odds of winning, or at least that they havethe ability to influence those odds.

[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide anentertaining wagering game that provides a favorable advantage to thehouse.

[0019] An additional object of the present invention is to provide tablelayouts for use in playing a wagering game that provides the previouslynoted objects for both card and dice games.

[0020] Therefore, in accordance with these and other objects, evidentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiment, the presentinvention concerns a method of playing a wagering game with a deck of 48numerically valued cards, comprised of two suits each of Spades, Hearts,Clubs and Diamonds totaling eight suits of Ace-6 including the steps ofhaving each player place an initial wager and dealing two cards to eachplayer to form a corresponding number of hands. Each player is asked toselect a winning option “7”, “High” or “Low”, based upon how the playerexpects the hand to be dealt. The game further involves an award to eachwinning player based upon predetermined odds.

[0021] The present invention also concerns a table layout for playingthe above referenced wagering game. The table layout includes a dealerstation from which cards are dealt. In addition a plurality of playerstations are provided, with each player station having a wager locationconsisting of a set of three option locations having indicia thereoncorresponding to the three different possible ways the hand may bedealt, “7”, “High” or “Low”. The game is also, as will be seen,adaptable to other table games, such as Roulette or Dice. Other aspectsand advantages of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments and theaccompanying drawing figures

DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will be better understood and objects other thanthose set forth above will become apparent when consideration is givento the following detailed description, the description reference and theannexed drawings, wherein:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the preferred embodimentof the gaming surface, showing the surface and the three wagering optionareas and the positions of the players.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a blown up illustration of the wagering area shown inFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment ofthe invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussionshould not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to thoseparticular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognizenumerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the completescope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims.

[0026]FIG. 1, shows the gaming apparatus (100) preferred for use withthe game playing method. Gaming apparatus (100) includes a deck of cards(105), and a game table, (101). Game table (100) is preferably of asemi-circular shape similar to those used for casino blackjack.Typically the dealer stands behind the flat side, (104) and one to sevenplayers (102), are situated around the rounded portion of the table.

[0027] With reference to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, thereof,the present invention is a new and improved wagering game, which isplayed with a deck of 48 cards, 105. (Two suits each of Spades, Clubs,Hearts and Diamonds, numbered Ace-6).

[0028] The deck of cards, FIG. 1, 105, shall now be described. From twostandard decks of 52 cards, cards 7-King in all suits and all jokers areremoved. This leaves 48 cards consisting of two suits each of Spades,Clubs, Hearts and Diamonds, numerically valued from Ace-6.

[0029] The Ace counts as one point; all the other cards carry the valueof their numerical designation. If desired more than two decks can beused and cards may be dealt, by the dealer, either from a dealing shoeor by hand.

[0030] Each player position is distinguished by the three circles,(103), which define the wagering area of the game table, (101). Basedupon how the player predicts the hand will be dealt he places his wagerinto one of the three option areas.

[0031]FIG. 2, is the full sized embodiment of FIG. 1, 103. and is thepreferred embodiment of the “7 High Low” wagering game. As can be seen,each circle has a designation. Low, (200), “7” (203) and High (206).Also in each circle are numbers required to win in that circle and oddsfor the predetermined award if the player has predicted correctly.

[0032] In the Low circle, (200), if the player has placed his wager inthe low circle (200) and the cards dealt to the player total 3,4,5,6(201), the player wins and is paid a predetermined award of 1 for 1. Ifthe total low score dealt the player, is 2, (which is circled todistinguish it,) the player is awarded a bonus of 1½ times his wager(202).

[0033] If the player places his wager in the middle, or “7” circle (203)he is predicting that the cards dealt to him will total the number 7(204). If the player has predicted correctly and the cards dealt to himtotal the number 7, he is awarded a predetermined amount, four times theamount of his wager (205).

[0034] If the player chooses the High option, he places his wager in theHigh (206) circle wagering area. If he has predicted correctly and thetwo cards dealt him total 8,9,10,11, (207), he has won and will beawarded a predetermined amount of 1 for 1. If the total of the cardsdealt the player is 12, (circled) the player is awarded a bonus of 1½times the amount of his wager (208)

[0035] Operation and Rules of the Game.

[0036] The present invention may be played as either a banking ornon-banking game. In the non-banking version up to seven players sittingat a round table, would first cut a standard deck of 52 cards for highcard, or roll dice for high number, that person becomes the firstdealer. The first dealer deals one hand, then the right to deal passesone player to the left for each subsequent hand. As the banking versionis the preferred embodiment, the operation and rules for the bankingversion shall be the version detailed here;

[0037] In the preferred embodiment, or banking version, the game may beplayed by at least two and preferably no more than seven players, usinga specially modified deck of 48 cards. The dealer standing at hisposition, 104. shuffles the cards 105 and randomly chooses one player102 to cut the deck. The top card from the cut is buried and the dealercalls for wagers. Each player places his wager in the preferred optionof 103, High 206, Low 200, or “7” 203. Once the first card is dealt nomore wagers may be placed. If using a 48 card deck, dealer shouldreshuffle after every 14 hands.

[0038] The dealer deals two cards to each player, dealing in a counterclockwise direction, starting with the player most immediately to thedealers left. The first card is dealt face down. Once each player hasreceived his first card the dealer deals each player a second card,again going counter clockwise beginning at the dealers immediate left.The second card is dealt face up. Once all cards are dealt the dealerasks for a showing of hands. Losers fold their hands and winners showtheir winning hands by turning up the first card, which was dealt facedown. Loser's money is swept to the dealer 104. The dealer checks eachwinning hand and beginning with the player most immediately to his leftpays awards according to the predetermined odds of 1 to 1 on High 206and Low 200, 1½ to 1 on Bonus numbers 2, 202 and 12, 208 with winners on‘7’ 203, receiving a predetermined award of 4 to 1.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a wagering game, which is beplayed with a deck of 48 numerically valued cards on a gaming table orboard containing three circular wagering positions containing the threepossible wagers for each hand. The first circle (that closest to theplayer) has the word “Low” the middle, the numeral “7” and the third theword “High” (a) each player selects an initial winning option based uponhow he expects the hand to be dealt; (b) having each player then make awager, placing his bet in the area corresponding to how he predicts thehand to be dealt; Players may choose only one of the three options perhand; (c) dealing, face down, one card to each player (d) dealing asecond card face up to each player; (e) awarding those players whocorrectly predicted how the hands would be dealt.
 2. A method of playinga wagering game as claimed in claim 1, but played with a pair of sixsided numerically valued dice instead of cards; (a) as in claim 1, steps(a) & (b) the player chooses his option and places his wager in the areaon the playing surface which corresponds to his prediction. (b) theshooter rolls the dice and if the total showing on the two dicecorresponds to the option the player has chosen, i.e. “7” (the numbersshowing on the two dice total 7), “High” (the numbers of the dice total8-12) or “Low” (the total of the two dice adds up to 2-6), the player isawarded (c) having a step wherein a bonus award of 1½ to one if theplayers Low score totals 2, or High score totals 12 3) A method ofplaying a wagering game as claimed in claims 1&2, including having thecapability of being played as either a card game or dice game (a) a deckof cards comprised of 48 cards, consisting of two suits each of Spades,Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs, in the numbers Ace-6. 4) A method of playinga wagering game as claimed in claims 1, 2 & 3 including the step ofhaving each player; (a) place an initial wager; (b) after step (a),selecting a winning option based upon how the player feels the hand willbe dealt or the dice rolled (c) awarding each of the players whosewinning option correctly predicted how the hand would be dealt or thedice rolled. 5) A method of playing a wagering game as described inclaims 1&2, including the step of; (a) placing a wager upon one of threeclearly defined wagering areas, which are circular and are printed uponthe gaming table (b) the three wagering areas or circles contain wordsand numbers which correspond to the prediction the player makes and thepredetermined odds of his award if successful. (c) The first, or closestto the player containing the word “Low”, the numerals 2,3,4,5,6 and theodds (Pays 1½), which references the award paid if the total Low scoreis 2 (note circled numeral (2) (d) having a second, or middle circlewhich contains the numeral “7” and the odds (4 to 1) (e) having a thirdcircle which contains the word “High”, the numerals 8,9,10,11,12 and thebonus award, (Pays 1½) if the total High score is
 12. See (12) circled.(f) having a set of three such wagering areas located at each playerposition on the gaming table 6) A method of playing a wagering game asdescribed in 1&2 above, including having a dealer who himself is dealtno cards, eliminating the usual step in high/low games wherein thedealer is dealt a hand which is the hand the other players play againstand measure their success or failure to win by, (a) having only toattain the predicted total number of points to be awarded.